Viscometer



Dec. 19, 1944. GREEN 2,365,339

VISCOMETER Filed Dec. 13, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR HENRY GREEN ATTORNEY Dec. 19, 1944.

H. GREEN VISCOMETER Filed Dec. 13, 1941 756 l /27 p /Z5 3 Z2 T!llillllllllll I 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR l HENRY GREEN ATTORNEY Dec. 19, 1944. H. GREEN 2,365,339

VISCOMETER Filed Dec. 13, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 &

PILOT THERMO 1.010 HEATER M070 REGULATOR g/ 76 P fa 4 77 74 72 JA/ W; 72

' a7 Lf /M if 4 22 Z25 I l 68 75 011/111 [7 J7 2/ i M w 2 PM H l l ss REEN ATTORNEY Dec. 19, 1944. H, GREEN 2,365,339

VISCOMETER Filed Dec. 13, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 m|-1m-nnlmk$ flfl INVENTOR HENRY GREEN ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 19, 1944 VISCOMETER Henry Green, New York, N. Y., asslgnor to Interchemical Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Ohio Application December 13, 1941, Serial No. 422,802

8 Claims.

This invention relates to rotational viscometers and aims to provide an improved viscometer of the rotating cup type which is particularly adapted to measure quickly and accurately certain of the flow characteristics of plastics and liq:I uids.

In the commercial use of viscometers to study the properties of certain non-solid industrial materials, it is desirable to have an instrument which can be used to measure the viscosity'of both plastics and liquids. The principal difference between a plastic and a true liquid is that the former has a yield value'while the latter does not. That is, while flow will take place in liquids with any force applied thereto, no matter how small, the force applied to a plastic must reach a certain critical value (the yield value) before flow occurs. It follows that in order properly and accurately to measure the flow characteristics of such materials (viscosity in the case of liquids, and, for plastics, yield value andplastic viscosity, the latter being the reciprocal of the rheological term mobility), a viscometer should be selected which is capable of employing at least two pressures or forces so that a flow curve for the material may be plotted. The viscometer should also be built so that a state of streamline or laminar flow is induced during operation and not a disorganized condition of turbulence.

Although there are several types of viscometers available, most of them do not provide for measuring both the yield value and the viscosity of the material being studied. Of those which permit such measurements, the rotational viscometer including a rotating cup containing the material and a stationary bob immersed in the material is best suited for measuring the flow characteristics of a great variety of plastics and liquids which may diifer widely in viscosity, yield value and other physical characteristics. In such viscometers, a predetermined quantity of the material whose viscosity is to be determined is placed in the cup and the bob is immersed therein. The bob is suspended at the lower end of a vertical wire or spring, which has its upper end firmly clamped to a rigid arm forming part of and projecting over the instrument. When the cup is rotated at a predetermined speed, a viscous drag, due to the material in the cup, is imposed on the bob and causes it to twist around through an angle which may be measured on a suitable horizontal calibrated disc mounted on the vertical wire.

This thus provides a reading of the torque in the wire-spring system. By changing the speed of rotation of the cup, different torques are produced so that data for the plotting of a flow curve (R. P, M. vs. torque) may be obtained;' and from this the viscosity and yield value of the material may be determined.

All of the viscometers of the rotating cup type that are now commercially available are both inaccurate and unsuitable for measuring the flow characteristics of materials which have wide ranges of viscosity, yield value and other physical characteristics. For example, none of them includes any convenient means for readily and rapidly changing the speed of rotation of the cup so that proper flow curves may be plotted. Nor do they include any means for accurately controlling the temperature of the material during the viscosity measuring operation; hence most measurements made with prior known apparatus are inaccurate, and even meaningless, because the viscosity of practically all liquids and plastics changes greatly with small changes in temperature. Furthermore, in the presently known rotating cup viscometers, there is no way of accurately centering the bob or keeping it steady during the measuring operations. This not only causes difllculty and possible inaccuracy in the measuring operations but also renders it diilicult to replace the parts in proper position after cleaning. In addition, the known rotating cup viscometers are not suited for measuring very high viscosities. Moreover, they require the use of indirect methods for calculating the wire or spring constants of the bob-supporting springs.

I have devised a rotating cup viscometer which is subject to none of the above-mentioned or other difficulties present in known viscometers of this type, and with which it is possible to make about forty changes in speed in three minutes for the plotting of accurate flow curves.

In accordance with my invention, the cup is removably but rigidly supported for rotation in a stationary, thermostatically-controlled, constant temperature bath, the driving means therefor extending upwardly into the bath from beneath the bath housing; and the bob is mounted on the lower end of an accurately mounted and centered rotatable shaft to which a calibrated cylinder is attached and the upper end of vertically up and down a sumcient amount to move the bob into and out of the cup, and also to allow complete removal of the cup. In addition, the supporting member has mounted thereon a wheel for facilitating the direct calibration of the torsional elements used. Means are also provided for agitating the bath constantly during the measuring operations to insure a uniform temperature throughout the bath, and a thermostatically-controlled heating element is mounted in the bath housing for maintaining the temperature at the desired point. with such an apparatus, the flow characteristics of a wide variety of liquids and plastics may be accurately and quickly measured. In fact, in a laboratory model, ranges of absolute viscosity from 1 to 24,000 poises have been handled.

The above and other features and objects of my invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one form of apparatus am ylns the principal features .of the inven- Fig. 2 is a perspective view' of the principal part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, the variable speed driving mechanism being omitted;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view, taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, of the bath housing shown in Fig. 2, most of the parts being shown in-vertical section;

Fig. 4 is a detail vertical sectional view showing a cover for minimizing or closing the space between the top of the cup-and the bob;

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram of the electrical parts of the apparatus and particularly the bath heater and temperature regulator;

Fig. 6 is a side elevatlonal view, partly in section, of the supporting member for the bob and the parts associated therewith; and

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly Figs. 1 and 2, it will be observed that my improved viscometer V comprises a thermostatically-controlled constant temperature bath T in which is mounted a rotatable cup C which receives its rotative movement in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter through a variable speed transmission or drive D and a motor M. All of the parts are mounted on a suitable base or support 3 so that the entire apparatus may be easily moved. The cup C is adapted to hold a predetermined quantity of the material whose flow characteristics are to be measured and to receive a bob B which is mounted on a slidably supported holding member or frame F so that it may be conveniently moved into and out of the cup C before and after the actual measuring operations.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the constant temperature bath T comprises a box-like tank or housing ll having side walls II, a top surface or cover member l3, a bottom I! and a substantially rectangular cut-away portion which forms 1 a space I! for receiving some of the operating parts for rotating the cup C. The space II is bounded by an upper wall I! and side walls i1, whch actually may be considered as part of the bottom ll of the bath '1', and may be closed with a suitable cover member ll, if desired.

Rotatable cup C, in the form shown in Fig. 3, comprises a cylindrical member 23 having a flange 2| on the upper edge thereof which, duri rotation of the cup, is 18PM t0 i e in a a,ses,ase

suitable circular bearing surface 22 provided in a correspondingly shaped opening in the top cover ll of the bath T. The space between the edge of the flange 2i and the bearing surface 32 is very small and, during rotation ofthe cup, it is desirable to lubricate said bearing surface. If desired, an annular groove 221: may be provided in the upper surface of the flange to prevent any material which might overflow from the cup from passing over the edge of the flange and onto the bearing surface, and/or said cup may be provided with a removable flanged annular cover member 22b, as shown in Fig. 4, for almost completely closing the space between the top of the cup C and the top of the bob 13. Such a flanged cover member prevents the material in the cup from flowing upwardly and out of the cup during rotation thereof. The cup C also includes a flanged bottom portion 23 which may be removabLv threaded to the cylindrical member 23 for facilitating cleaning of the cup, and is provided with outwardly projecting locking pins 2 in the flanged portion thereof. There are two diametrically opposed locking pins 23 in the construction shown in Fig. 3 and these are adapted to flt or lock in suitable slots 23 provided in the upper edge of a cup-supporting member" (somewhat similar to the manner of removably attaching the cover member 22b shown. in Fig. 4). The cup-supporting member 28 is also essentially cup-shaped and has circular indentations 31 on the inside thereof which correspond to the shape of the flanges provided on the bottom 23.

ber 20 which is mounted on an upp r substantially conical-shaped end 33 of a vertically disposed shaft 33 and held thereon by means of a nut 3i.

Shaft 30 is rotatably supported in a bearing 32 provided in a hub 33 which is formed in the top wall i3 adjacent the side wall I1, and said shaft projects downwardly into the space I! for driving connection with the source of power. Lubricant may be supplied to an annular groove 34 formed in the bearing 32 through a passage 35 extending through the hub 33 and connected with a tube or conduit 38. Conduit 33 extends from the hub 33 through the tank H to a cupped fitting 31 provided in one of the side walls It and into which a suitable lubricant may be inserted. The upper end of the shaft 33 between the hub 33 and the bottom of the cup-supporting member 26 may be provided with a suitable packing gland 33 so that the lubricant supplied to the shaft 33 will be properly retained and will not escape into the bath T.

In addition to the above described support for the shaft 30, the portion of said shaft which extends into the space H is further supported in a bearing 33 provided in an angular bracket ll attached to the side wall IT. A ball bearing 42 is provided on the shaft 30 between the bottom of the bracket II and a bevel gear 33 which is mounted on the lower end of said shaft for cooperation with a bevel gear 44 mounted on a main drive shaft 35. Shaft 33 also has a ball bearing 36 adjacent the bevel gear 40 and is supported in a suitable bearing 41 provided in an angular supporting bracket 33 attached to the upper wall I! within the space 13. Additional This construction permits thecup C to be rigidly held in said supporting mem- As shown in Fig. 1, shaft 45 is connected through a suitable coupling with the variable speed transmission or drive D. The drive D may be of any desired conventional construction provided with an indicator or dial arrangement 52 for indicating the speed in revolutions per minute on the output side and having a manually-operated means 53 for changing the speed within predetermined limits. At the input side of the drive or transmission D. a shaft 54 is connected by means of a coupling 55 with a shaft 55 in the motor M.

It will be understood that, by means of the construction described above, the cup C may be driven 'at any desired predetermined speed and that such speed may be altered through a range of revolutions per minute which is governed by the characteristics of the motor M and the transmission or drive D. This is a particlarly important feature of my apparatus which adapts it for use in measuring the flow characteristics ori plastics where more than one force or speed is required so that data forthe plotting of a flow curve may be obtained. It will also be understood that the shaft 38, which is directly connected to the cup C through the supporting member 25, is so mounted as to provide very accurate rotation of the cup. I

As mentioned above and shown in Fig. 3, the cup C is disposed within the constant temperature bath T and extends downwardly below the top surface l3 of the tank ll into a quantity or bath 80 of any suitable liquid which may be heated or cooled to a desired constant temperature. It should be realized that the accurate con- I trol of temperature during any viscosity or flow characteristic measurement is very important since the flow characteristics of most liquids and plastics are altered with each change of temperature. For example, the viscosity of a light mineral oil will be increased from 20 W22 poises when the temperature is changed from 30 C. to 29 C. and will be decreased from 20 to 18.5 poises when the temperature is raised from 30 C. to 31 0., whereas the viscosity of a heavy mineral oil is increased from 655 to 730 poises when the temperature is changed from 30 C. to 29 C. and will be decreased from 655 to 600 poises when the temperature is raised from 30 C. to 31 C. I have found that it is desirable to make most viscosity measurements at a temperature of 30 C., which is slightly above normal room temperature, and that this temperature should be maintained within plus or minus 0.2 C. and preferably plus or minus 0.1 C. This is accomplished and the temperature of the bath liquid 50 is maintained within 0.1 C. of 30 C. in my construction by means of a conventional load heater 6| (Fig. 5) which is mounted in a suitable housing or holder 52 supported in an opening provided in the cover member IS. The heating means for the bath also includes a conventional thermostat or thermo-regulator 64 (Fig. 5) which may be included in a housing 63 supported in another opening provided in the cover member I 3 and disposed within the liquid bath 58.

The thermostat or regulator 64 is selected to maintain the bath T within 0.1 C. of the desired predetermined temperature (30 C.) and, as shown in Fig. 5, is included in the regular wiring circuit for the load heater 6| and the other electrical parts of the apparatus. The necessary wiring for the apparatus may be mounted in of the side walls '12 of the tank Ill. The wiring may include a plug 86 for connecting the apparatus to a source of alternating current. A conductor 81 having a switch 58 therein connects the source of power, through a resistance 18, with one side of a small motor II. The other side of th motor II is connected by conductor 12 with the source of power, and said motor H is mounted on suitable supports 13 attached to the cover member l3. The shaft of the motor H has a stirring device 14 mounted on the lower end thereof and extends downwardly through an opening provided in the top surface l3 into the liquid bath 80 for constantly agitating or stirring said bath during the operation of th apparatus and thus assuring the maintenance of the desired uniform temperature throughout the entire bath. In order that the operator of the apparatus may know when the switch 68 is closed and the electrical parts of the apparatus energized,

a pilot .light 15 may be connected into the switch circuit through a conductor 16 extending from one side of the light 15 to the conductor I2 and a conductor l'l extending from the other side of the light to the conductor 81 at a point between the switch 88 and the pilot light 15. I

Load heater 8! is connected to an upper contact 18 of a relay 88 by means of a wire or conductorlll and the other side of the heater is connected directly to the conductor 61 by means of a wire 82. Relay 88 also includes a lower contact 83 connected to the conductor 12, an armature 84 for establishing a connection between the contacts 18 and 83, and a coil 85. Coil 85 is connected on one side thereof directly to the main conductor 61 by a wire 86 and is connected sufllciently to move the armature 84 into contact with the upper and lower contacts 18 and'83 and thereby energize th load heater Bl.

When the temperature reaches the predetermined point as controlled and determined by the thermo-regulator 64, the coil 85 will be de-energized a suflicient amount to cause the armature 84 to open the load heater circuit. For this purpose, one side of the thermo-regulator is connected to the conductor 81 by means of a conductor 98 having a resistance 9| therein; and is connected on its other side to the conductor 81 by means of a conductor 92. A resistor 93 is shunted across the conductors 98 and 92 at a point adregulator 84 and the arrangement of the above a suitable housing 55 (Fig. 1) attached to one described circuits is such that when the temperature of the bath liquid is raised more than 0.1 0. above the predetermined temperature (30 C.)

the regulator will be actuated to close the circuit directly therethrough and thus connect conductors 98 and 92 so that the current does not pass through the resistor 93. This'causes the current flowing through the relay coil to drop suiilciently to open the load heater circuit between the contacts 18 and 83.

In Fig. 5, I have also shown the motor M connected to the conductors 81 and I2 by means of wires '94 and 95, respectively. This connection is at a point between the switch 88 and the plug 88 so that the motor M will be operating when the switch 68, which ma be mounted in a convenient position upon the base S (Fig. 1), is closed. z 7 I In this manner, the temperature of the bath is kept substantially constant so that there will be no appreciable variation in the viscosity of the material in the cup during any measuring operation. The actual temperature at the time a measurement is made may be determined by means of a thermometer mounted on the top surface I4 in a suitable holder 01 and extending through the top It into the bath liquid 40. Should the temperature in the place where the apparatus is located rise above the predetermined temperature as controlled by the regulator 04 and consequently raise the temperature of the bath liquid above this point, it may be necessary to circulate a cooling medium through the tank II. I have, therefore, provided a cooling medium circulating pipe 00 in the tank II. One end of this pipe may be connected to a suitable inlet I 00 and the other end may be connected to an outlet IOI. Both the inlet I00 and outlet IOI may be mounted in any-convenient position on the top cover I0 so that a source of cooling medium, such as cold water, may be connected to the inlet I00, and the outlet Ill connected to a suitable drain. In this manner. the bath liquid 80 may be cooled below the temperature prevailing in the place where the apparatus is situated and below the predetermined temperature as controlled by the regulator 04 so that said regulator may function in the manner already described.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 6, it will be noted that the bob B, in its preferred form, comprises a cylindrical member I00, of somewhat smaller diameter and height than the inside dimensions of the cup C, rigidly and concentrically mounted on the lower end of a shaft I00. This shaft extends vertically upwardly and passes through an aligned opening III provided irran outwardly projecting supporting shoulder I00 formed on the slidable frame F. The diameter of the elongated opening IN is very slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft I00 so that said shaft will be well supported by the shoulder I08; and. at

' and held in said opening by means of a set screw I Id. In the present instance, the torsion member I I4 preferably comprises a tension spring because its deflection throughout 360 may be directly proportional to the force applied, but it will be understood that a wire, metal tape or any other suitable resilient torsion member. may be used even though the deflection of such torsional mem. hers is not directly proportional to force applied throughout an arc of 360. The upper end of the torsion member or spring H4 is connected to a pin III, similar to the pin III, received in an opening provided in the lower end of a supporting shaft or pin III and held therein by means of a et screw II... The supporting shaft I I I is in accurate axial alignment with the reduced end in of the shaft in and removably mounted in porting arm I24 also formed as part of the frame P.

The upper end of the supporting shaft or assassa pin III is provided with a shoulder I25 for bearing against the upper surface of the hollow screw I and preventing said shaft from passing downwardly therethrough.

In order to prevent the supporting shaft or pin I" from rotating in the opening of the hollow screw I20, the top of said shaft is provided with a substantially vertically disposed groove or keyway I20 for the reception of a suitable key or locking member I21. The key I2! is provided, at

' its end opposite the groove I24, with a yoke I20 so that it may be pivctally connected to a supporting pin I which is removably mounted in an opening I3I provided in the upwardly proiectingsupporting arm I24. It will be apparent that the key I21 effectively prevents the upper end oi the spring "4 from rotating. However, the upper end of said spring "4 may be moved vertically so as to alter the effective len h of the spring by turning-the serrated knob I I of the hollow screw I20.

As mentioned above, the holding member or frame F is slidably mounted for accurate vertical movement above the constant temperature bath T so that the hob B may be moved into and out of the cup C. For this purpose, said frame F, which in addition to the supporting shoulder I08 and supporting arm I24 comprises a substantially block-shaped member I32, is provided with an' elongated vertically disposed slot I03 which is centrally disposed in the blockshaped member I32 and extends substantially throughout the length thereof. Said slot I33 is provided, on one face of the block-shaped member I32, with a raised and machined ridge I34 around the edge thereof and is adapted to receive one or more headed thumb screws I35 (Fig. 1). The thumb screws I35 are threaded into openings provided in the side face of an upwardly projecting supporting arm I36 and bear against the machined surface of the ridge I24 so as to hold the rectangular member I32 in firm contact with said side face of the supporting member I36. Supporting arm I 38 has a base or foot I31 formed thereon so that it may be attached in proper position upon the cover I3 ofthe tank II.

To insure an acurate vertical sliding movement of. the frame F upon the side face of the supporting arm I36, said am is provided with an elongated guiding ridge I38. As shown in Fig. 'I, this ridge may be triangular in shape and is received in a correspondingly shaped groove I40 formed in the inside face of the rectangular member I32. If desired, the single ridge I30 may be replaced by a plurality of aligned individual ridges, as indicated in Fig. 2.

It will be understood that it is important to regulate the downward position of the bob B in the cup 0 when the frame F is moved at the start of a measuring operation. I have, therefore, provided 9. lug I" on the outside face of the rectangular member I32. This lug I is positioned near the lower extremity of the said member I02 and is provided with a threaded opening for the reception of an adjustable stop screw I42. The stop screw I42 is adapted to bear against a suitable machined surface I43 (Fig. 2) provided on the base I31 of the supporting arm I36 and thus adjustably limits the downward movement of the bob B into the c When the bob B is lowered into its proper pomtion in the cup 0 which has a quantity of liquid or plastic therein whose viscosity is to 8,865,880 be measured, the rotation of the cup C will be.

transmitted to the bob B through the liquid or plastic contained insaid cup. The rotation of the bob B will continue until the torque built up by the twisting of the spring H4 matches the force imposed on the bob B by the viscous drag of the liquid at the particular speed (R. P. M.) of rotation of the cup C then being used. The amount of rotation or displacement will depend in part upon the characteristics of the spring H4 and the amount or number of degrees of rotation of the bob B will furnish place at each speed of rotation of the cup 0 used in a measuring operation, I have provided a cylindrical scale holding member I45 having an axial hub I45 so that It maybe removably attached to'the shaft I05 by means of a set screw I41. As shown in Fig. 6, the scale holding member I45 is mounted on the shaft I05 at a position between the ball bearing H0 and the ball bearing III,- and disposed in a' suitable cut-out portion I48 provided in the supporting shoulder I08. The lower portion of the cylindrical wall of the member I45 has an annular plate I50 rotatably mounted in any convenient manner on the outside thereof and marked on its face with a suitable scale or indicia. I5I (Fig. 2) to provide an indication of the amount of rotation or displacement of the shaft I05 and bob B. This annular plate having the indicia thereon constitutes the scale for measuring the deflection of the torsion member H4 and is preferably only frictionally held on the cylindrical wall of the member I45 so that it may be easily rotated to adjust the zero position for each torsion member I I4 that is used. The scale I5I cooperates with a suitable pointer I52 attached to the side of the shoulder I08 by means of screws I53.

As explained above, the amount of rotation or displacement of the shaft I05 which takes place during a measuring operation depends in part upon the physical characteristics of spring I I4. In making a measurement, it is undesirable to permit the bob B to rotate more than about 360. Consequently, in order that the appara rials, such as standard oils, of known viscosity.

In my constructio'ml have "greatlysimplified' the "calibration procedure and any torsion member H4: may' be calibrated -'with" referenceto'lthe indicia I5 I directly inthe'apparatus'itself"without usingfstandard-oils 'or the like. Itwilfbe noted that the upper portion of the outside cylindrical'surf'ace of the' mer'nberfll45 provided fwith a helical groove orscre'w thread J54" and a small opening "I551'near the top of said-member. L'Whenevera new torsion memb'en su'ch'as the Ispring II' 4, is used'inthejapparatus, astring'f'or tem b w u 1 th h c l o I54 and have one end secured to themember I bypassing itthrough the opening" I55. The other end of the cord. I55 extends substantially horizontally from the member .145 and passes over a wheel or pulley I51 pivotally mounted at I 58 upon the rear edge of the block-shaped member I32 -By attaching a plurality of known weights I50- to the end/of the cord I55, the amount of force requiredto rotate or displace the shaft I05 through different angles maybe easily computed; .and from this the amount of force or the torque required to tumor twist the spring H4 or other torsion member over each unit ofthe scale I5I maybe figured.

While his believed that the operation ofthe apparatus will be apparent from the foregoing description, for the sake of clarity. the procedure in making a complete measurement to obtain the necessary data for plotting a flow curve will now be described. p

First, a quantity-of the material whose flow characteristics are to be measured is placed in one of the cups C which is then inserted in the cup-supporting member 25 and the switch 58 closed so as to heat the bath liquid 50 to the predetermined temperature of operation. The

cup C containing the liquid is preferably. al-

lowed to remain in the heated bath for a period of about a half hour so that the cup and the materialcontained thereinvwill have the proper temperature. Next, a spring H4 is inserted in I the apparatus and adjusted by turning the knob I2I until the distance between the top of the upper reduced end I I2 of the shaft I05 and the bottom of the supporting shaft or pin III is the same as that at which the spring II4 was calibrated, for example six inches .in the apparatus shown (or if desired, this adjustment ofdistance may be made before inserting the spring).

Theshaft I05 is then rotated through one complete turn (360), returned slowly and the scale I5I set to zero with reference to thepointer I52. When this is done, it is also desirable to readjust the position of a movable stop finger I6I (Figs. 2 and 6) which cooperates with a downwardly projecting pin I52 so that the shaft will be permitted to rotate; at most, 360 or through any other smaller arc that will avoid permanently overstraining the torsion member.

At this point, the apparatus is ready for the actual measurement and the bob B may be lowered into the: cup, the rotation of which has started at slow speed. Any excess material overflowing from the cup is then removedand a cover 22b applied to the cup, if desired. The transmission is next shutoff andthe apparatus is allowed-toremain idle'for about five minutes. A readingmay then be started by setting the transmission at five revolutions per minute and noting the amount of the deflection of the spring I I4 onthe scale I5I.- After recording this reading, the speedotthe transmission is increased to ten .revolutions-peraminute and a second reading taken; .This. is repeated at intervals of five: revolutions perwminute, to a predetermined maximum, and at similar intervals in'a decreasingseries'back to the starting-"point.

Howeven the decreasing series need not be com- 'pleted if the readings :are the sameas" those chtained inuthe' increasing series. From the I data 'recorded during these: measurements,- revolutions -perminute vs. degrees offlrotation'are pIOtted,

thus giving a new curve for the -"particular material under consideration From this curve; the

Yield Y e? ?i lei aimiiir v b w i icase of true liquids) are calculated by the Marcus Rainer formulas (see The theory of plastic flow in the rotation viscometer, by Marcus Reiner, 1929, vol. I, Journal of Rheology, pages -10). It will be understood that where the curve plotted from the decreasing series data does not coincide with that plotted from the increasing series data and forms a hysteresis loop, the material measured is thixotropic and the curve loop will provide an indication or measure of the magnitude of the thixotropic condition.

If further measurements of other materials are to be made, additional cups C containing the test materials may be preheated during the ,measuring operations by inserting them in open-. ings I63 provided in the top surface l3 of the tank H. I have provided four openings I53 so that five cups may be initially heated and measurements made continuously by inserting-a new cup each time a measurement is completed. In this manner, data for the plotting of flow curves for many different materials may be quickly and efliciently obtained since it is possible to make about fifteen changes of speed per minute in the apparatus.

While I have discussed the details of construction and operation of my improved apparatus with particular reference to its use in obtaining data for determining the yield value and plastic viscosity of plastics and the viscosity of true liquids, I wish it to be understood that the apparatus may be used in studying other flow characteristics of materials. For example, the apparatus lends itself well to the making of studies in thixotropy which is associated with any hysteresis loop between the up and down curves, as mentioned above. Furthermore, although I have described but one embodiment of the essential features of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the construction and certain features thereof may be employed without others without departing from my invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

What I claim is:

1. In an apparatus for use in determining the flow characteristics of liquid and plastic materials, the combination of a heating bath, a containerdisposed in said bath for holding a quantity of the material whose flow characteristicsare to be determined, means for rotating said container, a supporting member arranged above said container, a vertically disposed shaft rotatably but rigidly mounted in said supporting member and disposed centrally with'respect to said container, a. bob mounted on the end of said shaft and adapted to be positioned centrally within said container, and a torsion member connected to said shaft so that rotation of said bob will cause deflection of said torsion member.

2. In an apparatus for use in determining the flow characteristics of liquid and plastic materials, the combination of a heating bath, a conaseaaso flection of the torsion member, and means mounted on said shaft for measuring the rotative displacement of said bob produced by rotation ofthe material in said container.

3. In an apparatus for use in determining the flow characteristics of liquid and plastic materials, the combination of a heating bath, a container disposed in said bath for holding a quantity of the material whose flow characteristics are to be determined, means for rotating said container, a supporting member arranged above said container and adapted to be moved vertically upwardly and downwardly with respect to said container, a, vertically disposed shaft rotatably but rigidly mounted in said supporting member and disposed centrally with respect t said container, a bob mounted on the end of said shaft and adapted to be positioned centrally within said container, and a torsion member connected to said shaft so that rotation of said bob will cause deflection of said torsion member.

4. In an apparatus for use in determining the flow characteristics of liquid and plastic materials, the combination of a, housing adapted to hold a liquid heating bath, a container disposed in said housing for holding a quantity of the material whose flow characteristics are to be determined, means for rotating said container, a supporting member mounted on said housing above said container, a vertically disposed shaft rotatably but rigidly mounted in said supporting member and disposed centrally with respect to said container, a bob mounted on the end of said shaft and adapted to be positioned centrally within said container, a torsion member connected to" said shaft so that the rotation of said bob will'cause deflection of said torsion member, a circular scale mounted on said shaft, and means associated with said scale and said supporting member for permitting calibration of said torsion member.

5. In an apparatus for use in determining the flow characteristics of liquid and plastic materials, the combination of a housing adapted to hold a liquid heating bath, a first vertically disposed shaft mounted for rotation in said housing, a cylindrical cup removably mounted on the upper end of said shaft for holding a quantity of the material whose flow characteristics are to be determined, means for rotating said shaft, a supporting member mounted on said housing above said cylindrical cup, a second vertically disposed shaft rotatably but rigidly mounted in said supporting member and disposed in axial alignment with said first shaft, a cylindrical bob mounted on the end of said second shaft and adapted to be positioned within said cup, and a torsion member connected to said second shaft so that the rotation of said bob will cause deflection of said torsion member.

6. In an apparatus for use in determining the flow characteristics of liquid and plastic materials, a combination of a housing adapted to hold a liquid heating bath, a cup disposed in said housing for holding a quantity of the material whose flow characteristics are to be determined, means for rotating said cup, a supporting member mounted on said housing, a vertically movable frame mounted on said supporting member. a vertically disposed shaft rotatably but rigidly mounted in said frame and disposed centrally with respect to said cup, a bob mounted on the end of said shaft and adapted to be positioned centrally within said cup, and a torsion member connected to said shaft so that the rotation of said bob will cause deflection of said torsion member.

'7. In an apparatus for use in determining the flow characteristics of liquid and plastic materials, a combination of a housing adapted to hold a liquid heating bath, a cup disposed in said housing for holding a quantity of the material whose flow characteristics are to be determined, means for rotating said cup, a supporting member mounted on said housing, a Vertically movable frame mounted on said supporting member, a vertically disposed shaft rotatably but rigidly mounted in said frame and disposed centrally with respect to said cup, a bob mounted on the end of said shaft and adapted to be positioned centrally within said cup, means for limiting the downwardly vertical movement of said frame on said supporting member, and a torsion member connected to said shaft so that rotation of said bob will cause deflection of said torsion member.

8. In an apparatus for use in determining the flow characteristics of liquid and plastic materials the combination of a housing adapted to hold a liquid heating bath, means for maintaining said liquid heating bath at a substantially constant predetermined temperature, a first vertically disposed shaft mounted for rotation in said housing and having a holder on the upper end thereof, a cylindrical cup removably mounted in said holder and adapted to hold a quantity of the material whose flow characteristics are to be determined, means for rotating said first shaft at a plurality of different speeds, a supporting member mounted on the upper side of said housing, a vertically movable frame mounted on said supporting member, a second vertically disposed shaft rotatably but rigidly mounted in said frame and disposed in axial alignment with said first shaft, a cylindrical bob mounted on the end of said second shaft and adapted to be positioned centrally within said cup, means for limiting the downward movement of said frame member, a helical spring connected to the upper end of said second shaft so that rotation of said bob produced by rotation of the material in'said cup will cause deflection of said helical spring. and a circular scale mounted on said shaft for measuring the rotative displacement of said bob and said helical spring.

HENRY GREEN. 

